The impact ofvariouspitching rates on the beer quality

In this study, impact of addition of various pitching rates with 1x107 cells/mL, 4x107 cells/mL and 8x107 cells/mL were investigated on the quality of beers produced from normal gravity (12%) and high gravity worts (15% and 18%). The yeasts used in pure culture fermentations were Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC 1056, Saccharomyces cerevisiae SN Lager and commerciae Saccharomyces cerevisiae Genuine. In experiments, yeast growth, yeast percentage viability and decrease in specific gravity were followed during the fermentation. The ethyl alcohol content, other general composition and aroma compounds were determined in the beers produced.According to the results obtained, increasing the pitching level rose the fermentation rate. Yeasts after inoculation reached the maximum levels within 3-4 days and stayed constant for a long time during the stationary phase. The percentage viability was dependent on at the end of fermentations ranged from fermentation to fermentation.An increase in the wort gravity increased the ethyl alcohol concentration. The ethyl alcohol of beers produced in 12% gravity wort ranged from 4,34% (v/v) to 5,19% (v/v), in 15% gravity wort from 5,60% (v/v) to 6,24% (v/v) and in 18% gravity wort from 6,66% (v/v) to 7,21% (v/v) .The levels of flavour compounds of beers produced were dependent on the yeast strains used and inoculum levels. In general, an increase in pitching rate rose the higher alcohol levels but reduced the concentration of esters. Genuine yeast formed high levels of acetaldehyde. The diacetyl amounts were found higher in beers produced from high gravity worts.Key Words: Pitching rate, high gravity brewing, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, beer quality.